NYC Ban Response

Casey Neistat, in the Youtube video, attempted to take a 67-page document about the soda ban in NYC, and turn it into something that anyone can understand. He started the video with appealing to a credible source (ethos), NBC. Starting with an NBC anchor man and the NYC Major in an interview shows that this is a controversial idea. The major is trying to do something good by limiting the serving size of drinks in the hope of decreasing obesity.

Next the video uses logos. Neistat explains what the legislation does and shows the sugar content in soft drinks of varying sizes. He shows the sugar content by getting sugar cubes and stacking them next to the drink with the soda. This is a visual aid of how much sugar is in soft drinks and it is shocking.

All throughout the video, he appeals to our emotions. He slowly starts off with a 16 oz drink and works his way up all the way to a 5 gallon bucket. This is not only funny, but shows his view on the issue. I believe he is in favor of this legislation because the comedic increase in the size of the drink shows that he believes you have to have boundaries of drink sizes. If you did not have these regulations by his logic the only end is that you would end up carrying a keg of your favorite soft drink around with you. The decrease in drink sizes will not only make people more self conscious of how much soda they are putting into their body but limit how much soda will go into their bodies. No one likes ordering two of the same thing for themselves because it make you will fat.

At the end of the video, he describes all the loop holes of how some companies can get around the small sizes. He thinks it is ridiculous by his tone and how he shows the sugar content on some things that get past the legislature.

However, he does have a biased view no matter how much he is trying to lay out the facts. Assuming he is the man walking out of the McDonalds with the drinks in his hand, he is thin. He is not the type of guy who would normally want to order the large drink. He most likely does not even drink a lot of soda, except in this video. He did a good job explaining the facts but someone who would normally order the DOUBLE GULP could have made a stronger argument.

I also am biased to this argument, I would not call my self overweight. I agree that soft drinks lead to obesity but it is not the only factor. I personally would not have a problem with a smaller size but where does it stop. Will companies stop using real sugar or ingredients and instead start using artificial sugar or ingredients. Will they put harmful substance in our bodies just so that they can cut calories or sugar content. I know the legislation is just reducing the serving size and has nothing to do with the product but the real purpose of the legislation is to reduce obesity. This is important because companies that can sell the cheapest, lowest calorie food to consumers will make the most money. This greed will lead to artificial substance and more food instead of eating less of a serving of healthier food. I do not know how to solve obesity in America but I do not like the government telling me what I can and cannot do.

I liked the video and I thought he did a good job of explaining the facts. Some of the noises when he changed from video to him talking were unusual but he did not take too much away from his message. He had a comedic tone about a serious topic and did a good job of separating the serious from the comedic.